“Go into it with an open mind and a willingness to learn.”
– Markus Westin, Co-op Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) Specialist in Accounting Graduate 2022, University of Toronto Scarborough
Congratulations to Markus, recipient of a Management Co-op Work Term Recognition Award for his contributions at RBC in Fall 2020.
How did you feel when you got hired?
I’ve been fortunate to have two co-op terms at RBC, both of which have been in them role of Financial Analyst within RBC Capital Markets as well as RBC Technology and Operations. Receiving that first offer for a co-op term at RBC has got to be one of my most cherished moments at U of T. I remember waking up early in the morning and receiving a phone call that happened to be my job offer. I was so excited that I drove all the way over to school right away to let my friends know about the great news!
What's the best part about working at RBC?
Even as a co-op student, you get to collaborate on a lot of unique, insightful, and impact-driven projects that will continue to add value in the organization even after you've completed your co-op term. The organizational culture is one that fosters growth and development in all of its employees, including co-op students. Everybody within the organization—all 80,000+ employees—are always looking for ways in which they can give back, and one such way is through mentoring and helping guide students. That philosophy is really solidified within the organization.
What are your career goals, and how will you leverage your BBA to achieve them?
My ultimate goal is to obtain my CPA designation through a rotational program then pursue my MBA. Through the Management program, not only am I able to earn my BBA specializing in accounting, but I'm also able to complete all of the CPA pre-requisite courses to help accelerate my career.
Do you have any advice for Management Co-op students who are interested in RBC employment?
Go out and meet people, today. Meet the RBC recruiters and your campus ambassadors, meet current employees. Learn about their own career journeys at the bank and how their interests might align with yours. Go into it with an open mind and a willingness to learn—that way, you’ll be able to provide value and absorb a lot more knowledge at the bank.
Why should a graduating high-school student pursue their BBA degree from U of T Scarborough?
The Work Integrated Learning (WIL) approach is what makes the Management Co-op program the perfect fit for me. Being able to apply what I learned in lecture to real-life applications allows me to solve actual business problems and gain a deeper understanding of the content that I learned in class. There are countless extra-curricular activities, workshops, and opportunities to develop the skills you need to become a future business leader.
